Police to investigate attack on goalkeeper
Updated: 2012-10-21 08:06
By Agence France-Presse in London(China Daily)
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British police have vowed to work with Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday to find the supporter who attacked goalkeeper Chris Kirkland in a derby match between the two northern English clubs.
The Sheffield Wednesday player was assaulted by a Leeds fan who invaded the pitch during a stormy 1-1 English Championship draw at Hillsborough on Friday, but was not caught by stewards.
The incident was one of a number of unsavory episodes to have occurred on a shameful night, which saw Leeds fans sing songs about criminal charges against Wednesday manager Dave Jones which were dropped in 2000, while they also appeared to herald late broadcaster Jimmy Savile, who is the subject of a child abuse investigation.
Bottles were also thrown on to the pitch from the away end, while home fans sang songs relating to the deaths of two Leeds fans in Turkey in April 2000. After the match, Jones branded the Leeds fans as "vile animals" and called for them to be banned from every away ground in the country.
South Yorkshire Police's chief superintendent Jason Harwin said: "During tonight's match, Sheffield Wednesday versus Leeds United, at Hillsborough, incidents occurred where it is believed seats and bottles were thrown inside the ground.
"We are also aware of an incident whereby the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper has been assaulted by an individual who ran on to the pitch.
"Such incidents are not acceptable and won't be tolerated. We will be working with both clubs to identify and quickly bring to justice the persons responsible.
"Thankfully, such incidents are a rarity and we see a minority spoil it for the majority of genuine supporters."
The incident involving Kirkland occurred just after he had been beaten by a superb 77th-minute equalizer from Michael Tonge when Leeds supporters spilled on to the pitch in an over-zealous celebration of the goal.
(China Daily 10/21/2012 page7)